Weird Temp gauge reading, rough start and overheating

MoneyPitC70 · Post by **MoneyPitC70** » 24 Jul 2010, 22:02

I'm having a few diferrent issues with my car, but I believe they are related due to the fact everything went to pot within the last week. I wasn't able to find the answers searching this amazing site so i'm reaching out to the community.

The car has difficulty starting and the temperature gauge is already at half when started, this is after sitting all night. Before I had it running, I lifted up the hood and there is a high pitched whining noise coming from the front of the car near the radiator. There are no check engine lights and no codes. I recently replaced the thermostat, temperature sensor, maf sensor, heater core, coolant tank and it was running fine.

It almost overheated on the way home and i'm sure the fan wasn't on. The a/c was dead and the coolant doesn't look to be circulating through the coolant tank.

I have the 2.4 LPT, any help is appreciated!!

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 24 Jul 2010, 23:31

My initial though was the ECT sensor since that will account for the hard starting and the unusual temp gauge action but you indicated that it was replaced. A double check of the connector and the wiring in that area is in order for sure.

The lack of coolant circulation and the whine from the front of the motor is more ominous and it could become lethal to the car - that sounds very much like a failing water pump. In that case it is a race between overheating or the timing belt breaking to see which one kills the engine first.

...Lee

MoneyPitC70 · Post by **MoneyPitC70** » 25 Jul 2010, 04:45

I've always thought that the waterpump would leak via a peep hole to indicate failure not cease circulating. Is it possible for the water pump to stop pumping? This is odd because I thought the pump impeller is operated mechanically.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 25 Jul 2010, 06:17

The impeller can break internally on a water pump. One that I replaced was not leaking but it was beginning to destroy itself internally. There are some aftermarket pumps that have a plastic impeller and I have seen those come apart as well.

Anytime the pump starts to leak it must be changed but leaking is not the only failure condition.

How many miles are on the car?

...Lee

MoneyPitC70 · Post by **MoneyPitC70** » 25 Jul 2010, 07:00

150k miles.

Any thoughts on the whining noise? It occurs before the car is running and the key is in the on position. It a bigh pitched whine and Sounds like something electrical dying.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 25 Jul 2010, 07:08

Any thoughts on the whining noise? It occurs before the car is running and the key is in the on position. It a bigh pitched whine and Sounds like something electrical dying.

The SAS air pump. I missed the part that it happens before the engine is running. They are not difficult to change but they are stupid expensive. We have a writeup in the repair database that shows how to modify a much less expensive VW air pump to work on a Volvo and then we had a writeup in the last couple of weeks that detailed how to change out the bearings which is much cheaper still.

...Lee